Control of asthma in adults treated with beclomethasone and formoterol in extrafine particle formulation in a real-life setting in Poland: The CASPER noninterventional, observational trial

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Asthma is one of the most common health problems, and its poor control can seriously affect patients' lives. OBJECTIVES We assessed the level of asthma control in a real-life setting in Poland, in outpatients treated with a beclomethasone and formoterol combination pressurized metered-dose inhaler (BDP/F-pMDI). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study lasted for 6 months (3 visits). Patients were aged 18 years or older, were diagnosed with asthma at least 12 months before the inclusion to the study, and had been using BDP/F-pMDI hydrofluoroalkanes (HFA) for a minimum of 2 weeks before the enrollment. Asthma control was determined in accordance with the criteria of the Global Initiative for Asthma. Patients' data were collected during study visits, using unified questionnaires with close-ended questions. RESULTS During the first visit, 8.6% of the patients had controlled asthma; 27.6%, partly controlled asthma; and 63.9%, uncontrolled asthma. Poorer control of asthma was observed in men, smokers, patients with a longer history of asthma, higher body mass index, lower physical activity, shorter treatment with BDP/F-pMDI HFA, and inaccurate inhaler technique. After 6 months of therapy, asthma control improved in 74.2% of the patients; 60.1% of the patients met the criteria of controlled asthma; 31.4%, of partly controlled asthma; and 8.3%, of uncontrolled asthma. CONCLUSIONS The use of BDP/F-pMDI HFA was effective in the long-term control of asthma, and one of the important factors improving treatment outcomes is the training of patients in the correct inhaler technique.